By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-14 21:59:13 | Updated at 2024-11-23 12:17:00
1 week ago
FEMA’s disaster of its own making keeps getting worse.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, claiming they “conspired to interfere with the civil rights of Trump voters” in the state by withholding aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The bombshell lawsuit follows alarming revelations its workers were given orders to avoid dozens of homes of Trump supporters in Lake Placid in a shocking display of political favoritism.
The scandal came to light after FEMA fired agency supervisor Marn’i Washington, who later claimed that systemic discrimination at the disaster relief agency was “colossal” both in Florida and beyond and alleged she’s been made a “scapegoat” by the agency.
“Hurricane season is not over, and the federal agency in charge of emergency response is embroiled in scandal – caught withholding aid from storm victims in Florida who support President Trump,” Moody said in a press release announcing the suits.
“I am taking swift legal action to find out how far this political discrimination reaches and to make sure all Americans who fall victim to devastating storms are served, regardless of their political affiliation.”
Highlands County, where Lake Placid is located, went 70% for President-elect Trump in the election.
A FEMA official backed up Washington’s claims, telling The Post the agency’s practice of skipping Trump-supporting houses — or avoiding “white or conservative-dominated” disaster zones altogether — is an open secret at the agency that has been going on for years.
In her announcement of Washington’s termination, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell, who is named as a litigant in the legal action, called the directive to skip homes based on political affiliation violated the agency’s “core values and principles,” and vowed to do everything she could to ensure it never happens again.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, incensed by FEMA playing politics with disaster victims in the state, also blasted the federal agency in announcing his support for the legal action.
“It’s unacceptable for the federal government to discriminate against Floridians who voted for Trump, and especially egregious in the aftermath of a hurricane,” the governor said in a press release.
“I’m supportive of this legal action by the Attorney General’s Office, and I have instructed state agencies to likewise take any action necessary to investigate and ensure those who engaged in this behavior are held accountable.”
Congressional Republicans said they plan to launch multiple investigations into whether FEMA abdicated its duty to the American people.
“This will be investigated,” promised North Carolina GOP Sen. Ted Budd on Tuesday in an X post.
“Anyone who abuses the power of the federal government to hurt North Carolinians in need will be held accountable,” Budd added. “I will personally see to it.”
AG Moody’s complaint outlines what the office calls “the terrible facts of the civil rights violations” in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October.
The legal document names both Washington and Criswell, and is seeking both nominal and punitive damages on behalf of affected Florida homeowners, includin legal fees.
A FEMA spokesperson told the Post Thursday that the agency “does not comment on pending litigation” and included a link to the agency’s website on employee conduct.
